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k a May Highlights and 2025 AoPS Online Class Information
jlacosta   0
May 1, 2025
May is an exciting month! National MATHCOUNTS is the second week of May in Washington D.C. and our Founder, Richard Rusczyk will be presenting a seminar, Preparing Strong Math Students for College and Careers, on May 11th.

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0 replies
jlacosta
May 1, 2025
0 replies
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k i Adding contests to the Contest Collections
dcouchman   1
N Apr 5, 2023 by v_Enhance
Want to help AoPS remain a valuable Olympiad resource? Help us add contests to AoPS's Contest Collections.

Find instructions and a list of contests to add here: https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c40244h1064480_contests_to_add
1 reply
dcouchman
Sep 9, 2019
v_Enhance
Apr 5, 2023
J
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k i Zero tolerance
ZetaX   49
N May 4, 2019 by NoDealsHere
Source: Use your common sense! (enough is enough)
Some users don't want to learn, some other simply ignore advises.
But please follow the following guideline:


To make it short: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!
If you don't have common sense, don't post.


More specifically:

For new threads:


a) Good, meaningful title:
The title has to say what the problem is about in best way possible.
If that title occured already, it's definitely bad. And contest names aren't good either.
That's in fact a requirement for being able to search old problems.

Examples:
Bad titles:
- "Hard"/"Medium"/"Easy" (if you find it so cool how hard/easy it is, tell it in the post and use a title that tells us the problem)
- "Number Theory" (hey guy, guess why this forum's named that way¿ and is it the only such problem on earth¿)
- "Fibonacci" (there are millions of Fibonacci problems out there, all posted and named the same...)
- "Chinese TST 2003" (does this say anything about the problem¿)
Good titles:
- "On divisors of a³+2b³+4c³-6abc"
- "Number of solutions to x²+y²=6z²"
- "Fibonacci numbers are never squares"


b) Use search function:
Before posting a "new" problem spend at least two, better five, minutes to look if this problem was posted before. If it was, don't repost it. If you have anything important to say on topic, post it in one of the older threads.
If the thread is locked cause of this, use search function.

Update (by Amir Hossein). The best way to search for two keywords in AoPS is to input
[code]+"first keyword" +"second keyword"[/code]
so that any post containing both strings "first word" and "second form".


c) Good problem statement:
Some recent really bad post was:
[quote]$lim_{n\to 1}^{+\infty}\frac{1}{n}-lnn$[/quote]
It contains no question and no answer.
If you do this, too, you are on the best way to get your thread deleted. Write everything clearly, define where your variables come from (and define the "natural" numbers if used). Additionally read your post at least twice before submitting. After you sent it, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.


For answers to already existing threads:


d) Of any interest and with content:
Don't post things that are more trivial than completely obvious. For example, if the question is to solve $x^{3}+y^{3}=z^{3}$, do not answer with "$x=y=z=0$ is a solution" only. Either you post any kind of proof or at least something unexpected (like "$x=1337, y=481, z=42$ is the smallest solution). Someone that does not see that $x=y=z=0$ is a solution of the above without your post is completely wrong here, this is an IMO-level forum.
Similar, posting "I have solved this problem" but not posting anything else is not welcome; it even looks that you just want to show off what a genius you are.

e) Well written and checked answers:
Like c) for new threads, check your solutions at least twice for mistakes. And after sending, read it again and use the Edit-Button if necessary to correct errors.



To repeat it: ALWAYS USE YOUR COMMON SENSE IF POSTING!


Everything definitely out of range of common sense will be locked or deleted (exept for new users having less than about 42 posts, they are newbies and need/get some time to learn).

The above rules will be applied from next monday (5. march of 2007).
Feel free to discuss on this here.
49 replies
ZetaX
Feb 27, 2007
NoDealsHere
May 4, 2019
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Reducing the exponents for good
RobertRogo   0
a few seconds ago
Source: The national Algebra contest (Romania), 2025, Problem 3/Abstract Algebra (a bit generalized)
Let $A$ be a ring with unity such that for every $x \in A$ there exist $t_x, n_x \in \mathbb{N}^*$ such that $x^{t_x+n_x}=x^{n_x}$. Prove that
a) If $t_x \cdot 1 \in U(A), \forall x \in A$ then $x^{t_x+1}=x, \forall x \in A$
b) If there is an $x \in A$ such that $t_x \cdot 1 \notin U(A)$ then the result from a) may no longer hold.

Authors: Laurențiu Panaitopol, Dorel Miheț, Mihai Opincariu, me, Filip Munteanu
0 replies
RobertRogo
a few seconds ago
0 replies
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Cute NT but misplaced
AndreiVila   2
N 33 minutes ago by Davi Medeiros
Source: IMAR Test 2024 P2
Let $n$ be a positive integer and let $x$ and $y$ be positive divisors of $2n^2-1$. Prove that $x+y$ is not divisible by $2n+1$.
2 replies
AndreiVila
Nov 16, 2024
Davi Medeiros
33 minutes ago
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Integer polynomial commutes with sum of digits
cjquines0   45
N an hour ago by anudeep
Source: 2016 IMO Shortlist N1
For any positive integer $k$, denote the sum of digits of $k$ in its decimal representation by $S(k)$. Find all polynomials $P(x)$ with integer coefficients such that for any positive integer $n \geq 2016$, the integer $P(n)$ is positive and $$S(P(n)) = P(S(n)).$$
Proposed by Warut Suksompong, Thailand
45 replies
cjquines0
Jul 19, 2017
anudeep
an hour ago
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Good Permutations in Modulo n
swynca   11
N an hour ago by Assassino9931
Source: BMO 2025 P1
An integer $n > 1$ is called $\emph{good}$ if there exists a permutation $a_1, a_2, a_3, \dots, a_n$ of the numbers $1, 2, 3, \dots, n$, such that:
$(i)$ $a_i$ and $a_{i+1}$ have different parities for every $1 \leq i \leq n-1$;
$(ii)$ the sum $a_1 + a_2 + \cdots + a_k$ is a quadratic residue modulo $n$ for every $1 \leq k \leq n$.
Prove that there exist infinitely many good numbers, as well as infinitely many positive integers which are not good.
11 replies
swynca
Apr 27, 2025
Assassino9931
an hour ago
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Israel Number Theory
mathisreaI   67
N 2 hours ago by lolsamo
Source: IMO 2022 Problem 5
Find all triples $(a,b,p)$ of positive integers with $p$ prime and \[ a^p=b!+p. \]
67 replies
mathisreaI
Jul 13, 2022
lolsamo
2 hours ago
J
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IMO 2016 Shortlist, N6
dangerousliri   69
N 2 hours ago by MR.1
Denote by $\mathbb{N}$ the set of all positive integers. Find all functions $f:\mathbb{N}\rightarrow \mathbb{N}$ such that for all positive integers $m$ and $n$, the integer $f(m)+f(n)-mn$ is nonzero and divides $mf(m)+nf(n)$.

Proposed by Dorlir Ahmeti, Albania
69 replies
dangerousliri
Jul 19, 2017
MR.1
2 hours ago
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Number of Solutions is 2
Miku3D   30
N 2 hours ago by lakshya2009
Source: 2021 APMO P1
Prove that for each real number $r>2$, there are exactly two or three positive real numbers $x$ satisfying the equation $x^2=r\lfloor x \rfloor$.
30 replies
Miku3D
Jun 9, 2021
lakshya2009
2 hours ago
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Problem 3
blug   3
N 2 hours ago by sunken rock
Source: Czech-Polish-Slovak Junior Match 2025 Problem 3
In a triangle $ABC$, $\angle ACB=60^{\circ}$. Points $D, E$ lie on segments $BC, AC$ respectively. Points $K, L$ are such that $ADK$ and $BEL$ are equlateral, $A$ and $L$ lie on opposite sides of $BE$, $B$ and $K$ lie on the opposite siedes of $AD$. Prove that
$$AE+BD=KL.$$
3 replies
blug
Yesterday at 4:47 PM
sunken rock
2 hours ago
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Computing functions
BBNoDollar   6
N 2 hours ago by BBNoDollar
Let $f : [0, \infty) \to [0, \infty)$, $f(x) = \dfrac{ax + b}{cx + d}$, with $a, d \in (0, \infty)$, $b, c \in [0, \infty)$. Prove that there exists $n \in \mathbb{N}^*$ such that for every $x \geq 0$
\[ f_n(x) = \frac{x}{1 + nx}, \quad \text{if and only if } f(x) = \frac{x}{1 + x}, \quad \forall x \geq 0. \](For $n \in \mathbb{N}^*$ and $x \geq 0$, the notation $f_n(x)$ represents $\underbrace{(f \circ f \circ \dots \circ f)}_{n \text{ times}}(x)$. )
6 replies
BBNoDollar
May 18, 2025
BBNoDollar
2 hours ago
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Hard Inequality
danilorj   5
N 3 hours ago by danilorj
Let $a, b, c > 0$ with $a + b + c = 1$. Prove that:
\[ \sqrt{a + (b - c)^2} + \sqrt{b + (c - a)^2} + \sqrt{c + (a - b)^2} \geq \sqrt{3}, \]with equality if and only if $a = b = c = \frac{1}{3}$.
5 replies
danilorj
Today at 5:17 AM
danilorj
3 hours ago
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easy geo
ErTeeEs06   5
N 3 hours ago by Adywastaken
Source: BxMO 2025 P3
Let $ABC$ be a triangle with incentre $I$ and circumcircle $\Omega$. Let $D, E, F$ be the midpoints of the arcs $\stackrel{\frown}{BC}, \stackrel{\frown}{CA}, \stackrel{\frown}{AB}$ of $\Omega$ not containing $A, B, C$ respectively. Let $D'$ be the point of $\Omega$ diametrically opposite to $D$. Show that $I, D'$ and the midpoint $M$ of $EF$ lie on a line.
5 replies
ErTeeEs06
Apr 26, 2025
Adywastaken
3 hours ago
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Differential equations , Matrix theory
c00lb0y   3
N Today at 12:26 PM by loup blanc
Source: RUDN MATH OLYMP 2024 problem 4
Any idea?? Diff equational system combined with Matrix theory.
Consider the equation dX/dt=X^2, where X(t) is an n×n matrix satisfying the condition detX=0. It is known that there are no solutions of this equation defined on a bounded interval, but there exist non-continuable solutions defined on unbounded intervals of the form (t ,+∞) and (−∞,t). Find n.
3 replies
c00lb0y
Apr 17, 2025
loup blanc
Today at 12:26 PM
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The matrix in some degree is a scalar
FFA21   4
N Today at 12:06 PM by FFA21
Source: MSU algebra olympiad 2025 P2
$A\in M_{3\times 3}$ invertible, for an infinite number of $k$:
$tr(A^k)=0$
Is it true that $\exists n$ such that $A^n$ is a scalar
4 replies
FFA21
Today at 12:11 AM
FFA21
Today at 12:06 PM
J
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Prove the statement
Butterfly   10
N Today at 10:16 AM by oty
Given an infinite sequence $\{x_n\} \subseteq [0,1]$, there exists some constant $C$, for any $r>0$, among the sequence $x_n$ and $x_m$ could be chosen to satisfy $|n-m|\ge r $ and $|x_n-x_m|<\frac{C}{|n-m|}$.
10 replies
Butterfly
May 7, 2025
oty
Today at 10:16 AM
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Integrable function: + and - on every subinterval.
SPQ   3
N Apr 23, 2025 by solyaris
Provide a function integrable on [a, b] such that f takes on positive and negative values on every subinterval (c, d) of [a, b]. Prove your function satisfies both conditions.
3 replies
SPQ
Apr 23, 2025
solyaris
Apr 23, 2025
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Integrable function: + and - on every subinterval.
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Reveal topic tags
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real analysis
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SPQ
5 posts
SPQ
#1 h  Apr 23, 2025, 2:40 AM
Y by
Provide a function integrable on [a, b] such that f takes on positive and negative values on every subinterval (c, d) of [a, b]. Prove your function satisfies both conditions.
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greenturtle3141
3560 posts
greenturtle3141
#2 h  Apr 23, 2025, 4:26 AM
Y by
Really depends what you mean by "integrable", but for the lebesgue case the characteristic function on rationals works just fine
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SPQ
5 posts
SPQ
#3 h  Apr 23, 2025, 5:07 AM
Y by
Thanks for the suggestion. You are right that the characteristic function of the rationals in [a, b] is Lebesgue integrable. However, the characteristic function doesn't satisfy the second condition: it doesn't take on negative values anywhere; it only takes on the values 1 and 0.

Also, just to clarify, I was referring to Riemann integrability.
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solyaris
647 posts
solyaris
#4 h  Apr 23, 2025, 7:06 AM
Y by
@above: But of course you can slightly modify the charactersistic function (so that it takes values $1,-1$ instead of $1,0$) to give a counterexample.

For Riemann integrability you only have to introduce a further slight modification: Take $f(x) = 0$ for irrational $x$, and for rational $x = \frac k n$
with integer $k,n$ and $n > 0$ in reduced form, define $f(\frac k n) = -\frac 1 n$ for odd $n$ and $f(\frac k n) = \frac 1 n$ for even $n$. It is not hard to see that $f$ is Riemann-integrable and takes positive and negative values in any open interval.
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